đź“‹ Copy this entire guide and paste into Claude Code or Codex!

Workshop Takeaways & Home Setup Guide

Created: December 12, 2025 Workshop: Franz Enzenhofer Vibe Coding Workshop


What You Can Now Do

Vibe Coding Workflow

After this workshop, you can:


Part 1: Setting Up At Home

Install Claude Code

Mac (choose one):

# Option 1: Install script (recommended)
curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash

# Option 2: Homebrew
brew install --cask claude-code

# Option 3: npm (requires Node.js 18+)
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code

Windows (PowerShell):

irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iex

Official docs: code.claude.com/docs


Install OpenAI Codex (Alternative)

Mac/Linux (choose one):

# Option 1: npm (requires Node.js 18+)
npm install -g @openai/codex

# Option 2: Homebrew (Mac only)
brew install --cask codex

Windows: Experimental support - use WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) for best results.

Official docs: github.com/openai/codex


Login Options

Option A: Browser Login (Easiest)

Just run the tool - it opens your browser to log in:

Option B: API Key Login

Step 1: Get your API key:

Step 2: Set your API key (copy, replace YOUR_KEY_HERE, paste in terminal):

Mac/Linux:

# For Claude Code - paste this, then run claude
export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY="YOUR_KEY_HERE"
# For Codex - paste this, then run codex
export OPENAI_API_KEY="YOUR_KEY_HERE"

Windows PowerShell:

# For Claude Code - paste this, then run claude
$env:ANTHROPIC_API_KEY="YOUR_KEY_HERE"
# For Codex - paste this, then run codex
$env:OPENAI_API_KEY="YOUR_KEY_HERE"

Step 3: Now run the tool:

Problems? Copy your error message and ask ChatGPT or Claude.ai: > “I’m getting this error: [paste error]. How do I fix it?”


YOLO Mode (Skip Permission Prompts)

Copy and paste these to skip all “are you sure?” prompts:

Claude Code - YOLO mode:

claude --dangerously-skip-permissions

Claude Code - YOLO + continue last session:

claude --dangerously-skip-permissions --continue

Codex - Full YOLO mode:

codex --yolo

Codex - Moderate mode (asks only on failures):

codex --full-auto

Want shorter commands? Ask AI to create aliases for you:

Mac/Linux - copy and paste this prompt:

Create permanent shell aliases for me: claude+ for Claude Code YOLO mode, claude++ for YOLO with continue, codex+ for Codex YOLO. Detect which shell I use and add them to the correct config file so they work every time I open terminal.

Windows PowerShell - copy and paste this prompt:

Create permanent PowerShell aliases for me: claude+ for Claude Code YOLO mode, claude++ for YOLO with continue, codex+ for Codex YOLO. Add them to my PowerShell profile so they work every time I open PowerShell.

Part 2: Memory File Template (CLAUDE.md / AGENTS.md)

This file tells AI who you are and how to work. Both tools use the same concept - just different filenames!

To create your memory file, just type inside the AI tool:

/init

Or ask the AI: “Create a global CLAUDE.md (or AGENTS.md) file for me with my preferences.”

Starter Template (Customize for Yourself)

# My AI Coding Config

## About Me
- Non-technical user learning to code with AI
- Focus: Web projects, automation, data processing
- Explain things simply, I'm still learning

## My API Keys (KEEP PRIVATE!)
# ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=sk-ant-...
# OPENAI_API_KEY=sk-...
# GEMINI_API_KEY=AIza...
# GITHUB_TOKEN=ghp_...

## Safety Rules - ALWAYS FOLLOW
- NEVER delete entire directories - move to Trash instead
- ALWAYS use git commits before major changes
- NEVER expose API keys in code pushed to GitHub
- ASK before running destructive commands (rm -rf, DROP TABLE, etc.)

## Code Practices
- Keep it simple (KISS) - readable > clever
- Don't repeat code (DRY) - use functions
- MODULAR - small files, small functions, easy to understand
- Add comments only for complex logic

## Debugging Rules
- Always check console/terminal for errors first
- Use console.log() or print() to trace issues
- Read error messages carefully - they tell you what's wrong
- Google the exact error message if stuck

## Git Workflow
- Commit often with clear messages
- Push to GitHub = backup!
- Never force push to main

## Project Structure Preferences
- Keep related files together
- Use clear, descriptive names
- README.md in every project

Keep it under 100 lines. The AI reads this every time - shorter = better.


Part 3: Services We Used (And Why)

GitHub (Free)

GitHub Vercel Deploy Flow

What: Cloud storage for code Why we use it:

Just tell the AI:

Commit my changes to GitHub with a good commit message
Push my code to GitHub for backup
Show me the git history / undo my last change

Pro tip: Add this to your CLAUDE.md or AGENTS.md so the AI always remembers:

Always commit important changes to GitHub for backup and potential rollback.

Get started: github.com (sign up free)


GitHub Pages (Free) - For Static Websites

Static vs Apps Comparison

What: Free hosting for simple HTML/CSS/JS websites Best for: Portfolio sites, landing pages, documentation, simple projects

Just tell the AI:

Publish this website to GitHub Pages

Vercel (Free tier) - For Apps

What: Free hosting for web applications with backend features Best for: React apps, Next.js, dynamic websites, apps with APIs

Just tell the AI:

Deploy this app to Vercel

Which one to use?


Command Line Email (Optional)

What: Send/receive email from terminal Why useful: - Automate email responses - Monitor inbox with scripts - No GUI needed for server tasks

Tools: Himalaya CLI, mutt, or similar Requires: Email account credentials (app password for Gmail)


Part 4: What You Learned (Quick Reference)

Terminal Basics

Command What it does How to remember
pwd Shows current folder “Print Working Directory”
ls Lists files here “List Stuff”
cd folder Go into folder “Change Directory”
cd .. Go back one level “..” means parent
TAB Autocomplete! Just press TAB

Forgot a command? Ask AI: “What’s the terminal command to [what you want to do]?”


Inside Claude Code

Command What it does
/help Show all commands
/init Create CLAUDE.md for project
/compact Compress conversation (save memory)
/clear Start fresh
/cost Show token usage
/model Switch AI model
/mcp Manage MCP servers

Context Window: AI’s short-term memory. Use /compact when conversations get long.


Git Essentials

Just tell the AI what you want:

What you want Say this
See what changed “What files did I change?”
Save your work “Commit my changes”
Backup to GitHub “Push to GitHub”
Get latest code “Pull from GitHub”
See history “Show git history”
Undo changes “Undo my last commit”

Golden rule: Tell the AI to commit before trying something risky. You can always go back!


Coding Principles

DRY KISS MODULAR

Add this to your CLAUDE.md or AGENTS.md so the AI writes good code:

Follow these coding principles:
- DRY (Don't Repeat Yourself) - use functions instead of repeating code
- KISS (Keep It Simple) - clear code beats clever code
- MODULAR - small files, small functions, easy to understand

Extending Your AI: MCP vs Plugin vs Skill

MCP Plugin Skill Types

There are 3 ways to add capabilities to your AI assistant. Each works differently:

Type What it is Best for
MCP External server adding capabilities Browser automation, databases, APIs
Plugin Pre-built tool from marketplace Debugging, DevTools, quick installs
Skill Custom reusable prompt you create Your own workflows, repeated tasks

How to Use MCPs (Model Context Protocol)

What: MCPs are external servers that give your AI new superpowers - like controlling browsers, accessing databases, or connecting to external services.

Popular MCPs:

How to install an MCP:

Step 1: Tell the AI what you want:

Install the Playwright MCP for browser automation

Step 2: The AI will add it to your config. Then you MUST restart:

/exit

Step 3: Start Claude Code again:

claude

Step 4: Verify it’s working:

Show me what MCPs are installed

Example uses after installing Playwright MCP:

Take a screenshot of google.com
Fill out the login form on mysite.com with test credentials
Scrape all product prices from this shopping page

Official MCP docs: modelcontextprotocol.io


How to Use Plugins

What: Plugins are pre-built tools you can install from a marketplace. Easier than MCPs - no server setup needed.

Popular Plugins:

How to install a plugin:

Step 1: Browse available plugins:

/plugins

or tell the AI:

Show me available plugins

Step 2: Install what you need:

Install the Chrome DevTools plugin

Step 3: Use it immediately (no restart needed for most plugins):

Open Chrome DevTools and inspect this page

The difference from MCPs: Plugins are simpler - they’re bundled and ready to use. MCPs are more powerful but need more setup.


How to Create Skills

What: Skills are custom reusable prompts YOU create. Think of them as saved instructions that the AI remembers.

Why create skills?

How to create a skill:

Step 1: Tell the AI to create one:

Create a skill called "code-review" that reviews my code for bugs, security issues, and suggests improvements. Save it so I can use it anytime.

Step 2: The AI creates a skill file in .claude/skills/

Step 3: Use your skill anytime:

/code-review

or

Use the code-review skill on my current file

Example skills to create:

Create a skill that writes git commit messages in a consistent format
Create a skill that generates unit tests for any function I select
Create a skill that explains code to beginners

Pro tip: Add to your CLAUDE.md file:

When I say "review this", use the code-review skill automatically.

API Key Security

Tell the AI:

Never put API keys directly in code. Use environment variables and keep them safe.

Pro tip: Add this to your CLAUDE.md or AGENTS.md so the AI always remembers:

Never expose API keys in code. Always use environment variables and add .env to .gitignore.

Part 5: How to Continue Learning

Just Tell The AI To Do It

Don’t ask how - just tell it what you want:

Practice Projects

Start simple, add complexity:

  1. Personal website - HTML/CSS, deploy to Vercel
  2. Quiz game - JavaScript, local storage
  3. Data dashboard - Load CSV, create charts
  4. Email automation - Monitor inbox, auto-respond

Keep Learning


Quick Reference Card

Start AI Coding (type in terminal)

Tell The AI (once running)

Slash Commands (inside Claude Code)

Remember


Resource Link
Claude Code Docs code.claude.com/docs
Claude Code CLI Reference cli-reference
Claude Code GitHub github.com/anthropics/claude-code
OpenAI Codex github.com/openai/codex
Codex CLI Reference developers.openai.com
GitHub github.com
Vercel vercel.com
Node.js nodejs.org
MCP Protocol modelcontextprotocol.io

You did it! Now go build something. Start simple, ask AI for help, and keep practicing.

Franz Enzenhofer Vibe Coding Workshop